The Presidency of James K. Polk

Everything You Need To Know About The Presidency of James K. Polk To Succeed In

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The Election of 1844» James K. Polk becomes the 1st “Dark-Horse”

Candidate in US History˃ Surprise candidate at the Democratic Convention

» Henry Clay was nominated by the Whigs» Polk was an avid expansionist» Defeats Clay

˃ “Young Hickory” becomes president

» Check out They Might Be Giants’ “James K. Polk”

Oregon and Texas» Oregon:

˃ The US and Britain jointly occupied the Oregon Territory˃ Polk advocated “54⁰40 or Fight”˃ Eventually, the two sides settled on the 49th parallel

+ Continuation of the border between US and Canada

» Texas:˃ Texas declared independence from Mexico in 1836˃ Polk campaigned on admitting Texas into the Union

The Mexican-American War

» US and Mexico recognized different boundaries for Texas˃ Dispute was between Nueces and Rio Grande Rivers

» “Spot Resolutions”˃ Abe Lincoln

» Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo˃ US gains Mexican Cession˃ US pays Mexico $15

A Tariff and A Treasury» Remember, Polk was a Democrat

˃ Democrats want to see the tariff rates go Down

» Walker Tariff:˃ Reduced the tariff rates substantially˃ Helped lead to an increase in trade with other countries

» Independent Treasury:˃ Democrats answer to not having a BUS˃ All government money would be held in the Treasury building and sub-

treasuries in cities˃ No government money would be held in banks

Impact of Polk’s Presidency

» Few Presidents have done as much in one term» Manifest Destiny is complete

» Tensions between the North and South increase˃ Wilmot Proviso˃ Compromise of 1850

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